Disclaimer: I own nothing of FY and I only own this particular story except the parts that you don't like.

This was set after the original series and during the second OVA but not completely canon of course. This is my first ficcie so be nice with the reviewing whip, I bleed easily. Heh. But honestly, plz R&R and give comments on how I should improve and such, if I'm long-winded, or too vague, bad grammar usage or I'm bashing Tasuki too much (which is fun to do 'cuz he's my Baybeh!! And I love bashing my Baybeh!!) P

I never thought Tasuki was suited with Miaka. I mean, she has Tama/Taka (that's practically two guys already! Sort of) And everyone is freaking in love with her : Besides Tamahome, she's breaking records by having Hotohori the narcissist, Nuriko the gaylord and even Tasuki the women-hater, I mean, c'moonnn….A girl can't have THAT much sex appeal. Sheesh! I don't hate her, it's just….well ok…I hate her!

Lol! Just kidding.

So I decided to arrange and create a new character who I believe is better suited with the darling, daring and dashing red-headed bandit. Let's just assume Tasuki has a tiny itty-bitty crush on Miaka at the beginning. The almost-rape thing in the 2nd OVA, NEVER HAPPEN!! Capishe?

Njoy people…..

Chapter 1: Encounter

"Taka!! Give that back!! I'm hungrrrrryyy….!" Miaka ran after her lover.

"Miaka, you're always hungry." Taka was skipping away holding a lone piece of bun above her reach.

"But, that's not the point…"

"You already ate five!"

Tasuki rolled his eyes. "There they go again." He said to Chichiri who was walking alongside him. "I don't know why he has to tease her like that; I mean, just give her the damn roll."

"I think it's sweet," Chiriko butted in.

"Yeah, yeah. What the hell do I know about sweet?" Tasuki said bitterly.

"Awww, little Tasuki-kins is feeling lonely for loooovveeee," Nuriko flew up beside him.

"What? No way…that's the last thing I need!"

"Aw, c'mon ickly-poo. Let me give you a biiigg kiss!!" Nuriko spread his arms wide.

Tasuki snorted. "That's funny Nuriko, I like to see you try and touch me, and you'll just go throug- Ack!! Hey…stop that, get away….that's cold! Ahhh, brainfreeze!!"

It's been days since Miaka and Taka came back into The Universe of the Four Gods and as much as the Priestess of Suzaku was glad to be reunited with the rest of the Suzaku Seven, they already got themselves into a predicament. After destroying the evil sorcerer Tenkou, they were now in search of Taka's memories when he was Tamahome. Unfortunately, Tenkou had already wiped out some of the jewelry that had contained the memories and Miaka was worried that she might lose Taka if the memories were not restored. So, they turned to Taitsukun and ask if there was any way that they could guarantee that Taka would not disappear from existence whether in the real world or here.

As usual, Taitsukun told them to search for the solution themselves and this time they had to travel into the land of Sairou again in search of an old man who is believe to be able to help them search for or completely restore Taka's memories. They weren't sure which but they really hope it's the latter as the Suzaku warriors were completely exhausted from their action packed lives. Well, for those still living of course. Nuriko personally, is thrilled to be able to go on another adventure with the rest of the Suzaku Seishi and their Priestess.

Currently, they are walking down a seemingly endless path that leads to Sairou. Miaka, after successfully snatching the roll from Taka, was happily stuffing her face while Taka stares at her with a mixture of affection and revulsion. The rest of the walking undead crew, namely Hotohori, Nuriko, Mitsukake and Chiriko were peacefully floating around the rest of them, taking full advantage of their capabilities and occasionally rubbing it into Tasuki who was busy groaning and dragging his feet.

"When are we going to get there?? I'm friggin tired!!I mean, why can't we use horses?? Whose stupid idea was it to walk to another damn country!!"

Chichiri looked over. "You know, It was you who complained that sitting on horses gives you cramps and hurts you dow-…," Tasuki hastily clamps his hand over Chichiri's mouth.

"OKAY! Okay…sheesh…you don't have to go and repeat that! I know what I said!"

Miaka giggled and ran over to Tasuki. "Awww…it's ok Tasuki, Sairou is really near and besides, it's good exercise! And we're together, that's always fun!!"

Tasuki glanced at the smiling girl and immediately feels a clench in this heart. He always feels this way ever since Miaka and Taka got back and wasn't too pleased about it. He insists that he thought of Miaka as a little sister but he knows that deep deep down, he has feelings more than that.

He sighed and looked up into the sky and tried hard not to think too much of how close she was to him.

After hours on the road, they finally reached a marketplace. It was a striving and crowded place filled with people bustling around, merchants calling out prices, items and offering discounts, chickens and children running around and laughing. Ignoring all the commotion, the warriors went around and look for an inn while Taka was holding onto Miaka who was trying to escape and drooling after all the foods lined up in the stalls.

"Miaka, you cannot still be hungry." He said exasperated. "You ate all our share of buns!! We're the ones who are starving here."

"I'm sorry, but I'm a growing girl you know!" eyes darting all over the place. "Oooo…look! A beef wrap!"

"Hey, guys!" Chichiri called over. "I found us an inn, no da." He turned to Tasuki. "Tasuki. Hey Tasuki! Let's go, no da."

Tasuki, who was imagining of buying Miaka the whole beef stall if he could, snap out of it and followed them to the inn,.

He had half a mind to smack himself around the head every time he did that. Dreaming away, unconsciously thinking of Miaka, and plotting ways of how he would treat her better than Taka. No! He really smacked himself then, I can't be thinking of her like that, he thought. It's wrong because Taka is my buddy and buddies don't betray each other like that. In fact, he would rather die than to steal Miaka away from him. Not that he would or ever could, but he really wished that he could stop thinking about it all the time.

"Tasuki," a worried-looking Mitsukake called him out of his reverie. "Are you alright??"

"Huh? What? Oh yeah…I'm fine." He grinned his toothy grin.

"Are you sure?" he pressed on. "Because, you just hit yourself on the head."

"Oh, that…hahah…" he laughed lamely. "That was nothing, you know…it was just a...a stupid mosquito, that's all."

Phew, he thought. Now I really need to get a friggin grip on myself.

"Alright, let's order some food. I'm really hungry, you know." Chichiri rubs his stomach pointedly.

"Hah! You think you hungry??" Tasuki plops down next to him. "I'm freaking hungry AND tired and thirsty and sore and sleepy an-,"

"Okay! We get it!" Nuriko swipes his hand through Tasuki's head.

"Ahhh!! Nuriko stop giving me brain freeze!!"

"I know!" Miaka said excitedly. "Let's order a double of everything on the menu!!"

"For once, I agree with her." Taka said. "Double of everything!"

"Yeah! And even double the sake!" Tasuki added excitedly.

At this, Hotohori commented, "How delightful it is to be able to eat and drink merrily as much as you want. I must admit, it's one of those things that I missed when I was alive. I wonder," he gave a charming smile, "Would anyone be so kind as to let your dear friend share their body so that I would be able to…"

"NO!!" All four breathing-ones exclaimed quickly.

Hotohori sulked prettily. "Fine then, I shall leave you to eat peacefully, my dear selfish friends. Hmph!" And with that he floated away, with Nuriko following behind. "Oh, Your Majesty, wait for meee…!"

"Oh dear," Miaka says worriedly. "I hope he isn't too upset with us."

"Hah! Don't worry, just tell him how ravishingly shiny his hair looks, and he'll be fine in a hot minute." Tasuki laughed.

"Yeah, compliments are the ONLY way to that Narcissus's heart," Taka added.

"Hell yeah!"

They clinked sake bowls and contentedly tucked into their mountainous meals.

"Tasuki, can I ask you something, no da?"

They had finished their heavy dinner and rented a couple of rooms upstairs. Chichiri and Tasuki were sharing a room at the inn and Miaka and Taka were right next door. They were both lying on their beds; Chichiri had his mask off and apparently didn't look like he was in any hurry to sleep much to Tasuki's annoyance.

He grumbled a reply.

"But, promise you won't get mad, no da."

"What is it Chiri?" he sighed.

"Tasuki, no da."

"Whaatt…??" he whined.

"I love you, no da."

"WHAT!?" Tasuki shot up and stared at his friend. What. The. Hell?? I didn't know he swings that way, he thought, sweating.

Chichiri looked serious for a minute, and then laughed. "I'm just kidding, no da. But that sure got u awake, no da!"

"Chichiri! Don't kidd' with me, man!" he threw a pillow across the room to his friend. "That's just gross!"

"Hahaha, you should have seen your face, no da!"

"Ah shuddup and go to sleep, you baka." He plops back down.

"But Tasuki, seriously, I have something to ask you, no da."

He groaned. "Well make it quick! I'm tired and dreams are calling my name!"

"Dreams… of Miaka, no da?"

Tasuki's eyes shot open in panic. Oh shit, he thought, what did I say? Did I just blurt 'dreams of Miaka?' Shit shit shit..…

"Sorry, I'm just wondering, no da. Because, I can see that you seem to still have feelings for her, no da."

"Haha…" he laughed nervously. "Don't be stupid Chiri. You know I hate girls, and besides, I treat Miaka like a sister."

"I'm not talking about how you treat her, no da. It's about how you feel no da."

"That's stupid Chiri, I don't know what gave you the idea."

"You know Tasuki, I may only have one eye, but I'm not blind, no da."

He turned his head towards his friend and found that he was assessing him with his one eye.

"Look Chiri. I DON'T like Miaka." He said full of conviction. "Besides, even if I do, do you think I'm stupid enough to like her when she already has someone else? There is no hope for me with her, Chiri. I mean, IF I want her…which I don't! Because I hate girls, they're friggin annoying and that's that."

Chichiri sighed. "The heart knows no bounds as to who they choose no da. Believe me when I say this, Tasuki, I never got over her, no da," he looked up at the ceiling. "Even after I thought she betrayed me. Now she's gone forever, there is absolutely no hope. But I still love her regardless, no da."

Tasuki turned away from his friend and frowned hard at the wall. "Yeah whatever Chiri, I know," He faked a yawn. "Go to sleep man, I'm tired."

He was exhausted and sleep seems like a good idea after the long journey and extreme stomach stuffing, but he couldn't stop thinking of what Chichiri said. The fact is he hates women because of his family. His mother was a controlling loud mouth who bullies his timid father and unfortunately, her 'charming' genes were passed down to his four older sisters. Growing up, he hated watching his parent's countless one-sided arguments and hated his father for being so compliant and never sticking up for himself. Vowing to never be that pathetic, he ran away from home at the age of 15, joined the Reikaku Bandits and never turned back. He doubts they would even bother looking for him, unless his eldest sister misses having a mobile punching bag at home, they probably forgotten all about him by now.

And despite his deep-seated hatred towards the opposite sex, he still couldn't believe he'd fallen for Miaka. But she's different, he thought. Not only is she his Miko but she is the sweetest most unselfish (except when it comes to food) person he'd ever met and he knew he'd do anything for her. And that scared him. Scares him that he would forever be haunted by her whether she is back in the real world and especially when she's here, so close to him yet so unattainable.

Closing his eyes, he wished deeply to forget about her in that way, by whatever means get rid of the stupid drunk butterflies in his stomach whenever he's around her so he could go on with his woman-less life and saving him from the agony of unreciprocated love. He almost snorted in self-disgust. Can't believe he is actually using unreciprocated love in reference with himself. You're a disgusting baka, he scolded silently. Lovesick idiot….

Early the next morning……

Nuriko crept up next to a snoring Tasuki, snickered cynically and…

"Tasuki-CHAN!! Wakey wakey !! Breakfast is ready!!"

"GAHHH!!" Tasuki shot up quickly, got into a wrestling match with his blanket thinking it's an attacker, lost his balance and fell down headfirst on the floor anime-style.

"Ahahahhaah..!! T-that was….ahahaha…graceful Tasuki-chan…" Nuriko wheezed, floating a good distance away.

"NuwikooO…" warned a muffled Tasuki calling out from the floorboards.

Downstairs in the tavern, Miaka, Tamahome and Chichiri were already starting on their breakfast while Mitsukake and Chiriko were playing with Tama the kitten.

Hotohori was standing around admiring his reflection on his sword, all the while complaining.

"It's so depressing being dead, I can't even look at my reflection in normal mirrors anymore. Oh, the misery one must put up with," he sighed gracefully, smoothing his hair with his other hand.

Taka rolled his eyes and whispered to Miaka "I think I rather not have my memories of Hotohori, I mean, if this is what I have to put up with all those times…"

Miaka started to reply but was drowned out by a roar from upstairs.

"REKKAAAAA….SHIN'NEENNN!!" followed by a squeal.

"I think Tasuki is awake now, no da." Chichiri grinned wisely while the tavern shook ominously.

A couple of other early rising patrons were looking around worriedly, not expecting destruction so early in the morning; they quickly rushed through their breakfast.

Chiriko looked up at the trembling ceiling. "You'd think that Tasuki would get use to this by now, I mean, it's only every morning Nuriko badgers him."

Taka moaned. "Aw maaann…. I hope the owner has fire insurance."

Chiriko asked curiously. "What's insurance?"

Taka stared mournfully. "Great! Just great! There goes my money!"

Hotohori frowned. "Actually, it happens to be my money and if this happens every where we stay, our budget is going to dwindle down very fast. It's only so much that a dead Emperor can provide for his friends."

Around this time, Tasuki came storming down the stairs, all the while mumbling loudly with a slew of choice words and brandishing his tessen threateningly.

"Good morning Tasuki!" Miaka exclaimed brightly.

"Nothing good about it…," he answered gruffly, seating down noisily. "Where's the damn sake!!"

The white-haired tavern owner who had previously been clutching the walls of his quaking shop anxiously, hastily grab two jugs of sake and placed it before the fuming red-headed, all the while praying that they would get the heck of his shop before the whole building falls down around his ears.

"You know Tasuki," Taka said angrily pulling out coins from his pocket. "You might want to control that temper of yours, its wrecking our reputation as the good guys."

Tasuki gulped down the sake straight from the jug and his cranky demeanor miraculously made a turnabout. "Ah, you're just worried 'bout you're damn money, obeca-chan."

Taka looked at his friend in confusion. "What does obeca mean?"

Fangs grinned. "Ooo nothing….. Although, it's a good thing you haven't got your memory back."

"IF he gets it back." Mitsukake intervene stroking Tama between the ears.

"We WILL! We have to." Miaka insisted. Tasuki looked at her somberly.

"I know Miaka, no da." The monk added. "But I'm having a hard time tracking down any clues to the old man's whereabouts, no da. I've even asked a few locals about him but all of them seem reluctant to say anything. I don't understand it, no da."

"It's hard," Nuriko appeared beside them, looking slightly charred. "Hotohori and I have been going around, listening into people's conversations, but nothing so far. It's like, he doesn't exist."

"But he has to be," Miaka whined. "Taitsukun says he's here, so he's here! Maybe he's hidden where people can't get to him easily. I mean, isn't it always like that?"

"Hah!" the Bandit exclaimed. "Maybe these locals don't wanna share their witch doctor with foreigners, the selfish pansies." He took out his tessen. "Gimme one of them, I'll make 'em talk!"

"Tasuki, we cannot resort to violence." Hotohori said. "We just have dig deeper and ask every single person until they give us even the tiniest hint of this old man."

"That's easy for you to say! We're the ones whose gonna be doing all the asking! And I ain't in the mood to be asking nicely."

"Are you ever in the mood to be nice?" Nuriko raised an eyebrow, smirking.

"Hey!!..."

"Settle down, you guys." Chichiri got up. "I'm going to go and ask the owner; maybe he'll know something, no da." He went looking for the innkeeper.

Taka, who had been silent this whole time, said guiltily. "It's ok if we don't find him, you know. I mean, I don't feel like I'm going to disappear off the face of the earth any time soon. I feel fine, so maybe this isn't necessary."

"Taka…we can't…," a distress Miaka looked up at him.

Tasuki interrupted. "Miaka's right! Tama you stupid cow!" He smacked his friend on the head. "We came all the way, we can't give up now. You might not disappear now, but in 10 years, anything can happen! Who am I gonna use my tessen on then, huh?"

Taka looked at the bandit-boy, eyes big and bright. "Awww…. Tasuki, you ol' softy!" He grabbed Tasuki and attempt to bear hug him. "I know you're going to miss me, just say it! Go on!"

"Hey!! Leggo….leggo of me you pervert!!"

Meanwhile, not too far away from the The Suzaku Seven, at the tavern's back entrance, a dark blue haired girl sat on a dirty crate twiddling her thumbs together, apparently waiting for someone.

From an onlooker's point of view, they might think that this girl, who was staring intently at the ground and muttering to herself, was a bit mad. Maybe she is, she thought. Mad enough to come back here. But in fact, she is actually repeating a mantra that seems to calm her down. "I can do this. Yes, I can. I'm ready. I can do it….."

Suddenly, she heard someone yelled angrily, and then the building behind her started to shake. What in the world is that? She thought then sighed. Where are you Yogi-sama? She knew that she was probably the last person he wanted to see, but she has no one else to count on.

It was hard coming back here; it took her a long while to pluck up the courage. And now that she's here, she couldn't wait to get it over with.

She looked up into the sky, her sad violet eyes reflecting birds whizzing by above her. Its weird how everything still looks the same after all this years, the houses, the shops and stalls are still the same and worn-looking. Even the people still remembers her. Unfortunately. She could hardly count the dirty looks she received from her old neighbors and traders.

Hearing voices behind her, she quickly stood up and saddled her sling bag, waiting expectantly. Coming from inside, the two voices seem to be in disagreement and she recognizes one as Mr. Yogi's.

"No, no, no…..I know nothing of it. There is no old man that you speak of. Never heard of him."

"But sir, with all due respect, I know for a fact that he does exist and is well-known. I'm sure…"

"Please!" he insists. "I can't help you! And especially not since one of you just about burned one of my rooms up there."

The other guy mumbled an apology. "Thank you anyway, no da."

The other guy walked away.

She wondered whether she should go in, but then a white-haired old man stepped through the back door, sighing, with his hands crossed looking like one of his favorite goldfish just died.

Taking a deep breath, she called out, "Y-Yogi-sama?"

He turned, and stared at the young girl before him. For a moment, he didn't seem to recognize her, and then he said, "Arisu? Is that you?"

She nodded nervously.

"What in Byakko's name are you doing back here? Don't you know it's dangerous for you to even show your face?"

"Yes, I know that, Yogi-sama. But I had to come back; I have to know if my brother has…."

He shook his head. "No, dear. He hasn't."

She closed her eyes tiredly and muttered, "I'm going to kill him when I see him."

Mr. Yogi came up to her and grasped her shoulders. "No, you'll be dead if you don't leave. If one of them sees you…"

"It's too late; a lot of people saw me already. Word will get around."

He paled. "So leave…just leave…"

"No!" she half-screamed. "I'm through with running! I want to end this!"

"You're not capable of it…" he said shaking her.

"Yes I am…I'm ready…I've been ready! Just tell me…"

"Absolutely not! Its insanity…come on…I'm taking you back!" he said angrily pulling her along.

"But Yogi-sama…."

"Dad!!" someone called from inside. "These folks here are leaving!"

Mr. Yogi sighed. "Wait here…" He went off, and then stopped in his tracks. "On second thought," He turned to Arisu, his face suddenly looked thoughtful. "Why don't you wait at the edge of the forest? It's too dangerous for you here, they might see you."

"But…"

"Go, I said!"

She sighed and went off.

Two blows with one stone, he smiled to himself and went back in to get rid of those blasted foreigners and to happily double their original price.

Later, the Suzaku Crew was blissfully strolling down a path, chatting animatedly with each other, except Taka who was scrupulously counting the remaining coins that's left.

"Boy, I never saw anyone that happy to get rid of us." Tasuki said looking quite relaxed with his arms crossed behind his head.

"Well, you did burn down his tavern." Miaka reasoned.

"Hey, it was just one room!" He said defensively. "And the other bed was still okay."

Hotohori ignored the both of them and turned to Chichiri. "Where did he say it was?"

Chichiri scratched his head. "Well, all he said was walk down this trail until you find a young girl who can help us, no da."

"A young girl?" Taka said incredulously. "Wow that's specific! What if there is a whole bunch of young girls running around. Then what'll we do?"

Tasuki interrupts them. "Hey! Maybe he lied just so he can get rid of us? Why I oughtta…."

Chichiri continued. "He also said that she has long plaited dark-blue hair with violet eyes. We couldn't miss that, no da."

"Wow," Miaka gushed. "Violet eyes?? How pretty."

Tasuki snorted. "What? Who has purple eyes? That's just too damn weird."

Nuriko laughed. "Oh, like having golden eyes is normal??"

"Hey!! Speak for yourself you crossdressing sissy!"

"Guys!" Chichiri waved his hand at them. "I can see someone up ahead, no da."

Looking up ahead, they can see someone pacing back and forth tensely, and it looks like a young girl. Bingo, they thought. Getting closer, they were now certain that she was the young girl that the innkeeper described. Her waist-length tied-up dark-blue hair swished behind her like a tail as she moved and she doesn't seem to hear them walking towards her, or otherwise dismissing them as passerby.

"Excuse me!" Miaka called out, running towards her. The girl looked up.

"Miaka wait!" Taka followed behind.

"Hello there." Miaka halted before the girl, grinning broadly.

The girl just blinked and watched as each Seishi came running up to them.

Ignoring the girl's silence, Miaka continued. "We were told that you can help us?"

A deep frowned formed over her violet eyes, looking at them suspiciously.

"The innkeeper. He told us to meet you." Taka explained. "He said you can help us find the old man."

The girl's eyebrows immediately shot up.

"So, can you?"

What followed was a long and awkward pause as they continued to stare at each other. The only sound that could be heard was some meowing coming from Tama and impatient tapping coming from Tasuki's boot. The girl didn't even squeaked one syllable and only stared at them quizzically.

Chichiri was already thinking that maybe the girl was clinically deaf and thought this was a good chance for him to test the sign language skills he picked up. But then, she started to giggle, making everyone jump out of their skins in surprise.

"Oi…" Tasuki whispered to Taka. "Is she retarded or what?"

The strange girl continued to laugh heartily ignoring the bewildered stares and the unease emitting from the group. After awhile, she stopped laughing, leaned back on a tree to catch her breath.

"Well, we were wondering, no da," Chichiri tried. "If you know of a gifted old man who can restore memories, no da."

She looked up slowly, traces of humor completely gone from her face, and stared all big-eyed at them. "The old man? The Gifted One?"

"Yeah, yeah!" they said excited that they found someone who actually knows something.

She pushed herself from the tree nonchalantly. "Nope, sorry. Never heard of him." And with that, she began to walk away.

The Suzaku Crew sweatdropped.

Tasuki, always the short-tempered one, called out. "Hey! Now wait just a hot damn minute here! You can't just walk off; we need your friggin' help!"

She called out without stopping. "Well, you can get your 'friggin' help elsewhere! I'm a busy girl."

The red-haired was just about to take out his tessen when Miaka pleaded with her. "Please miss, we can't find anyone else for help! If we could we would and we won't bother you any longer. But, no one else seems to know…and…and we're desperate! Please."

That stopped her. She turned around and slowly stalked back towards them. For a young girl of average height, she managed to make the other men feel slightly intimidated. Not only of how she's looking now, all closed off and menacing, but also the fact that their whole mission might depend on her and her knowledge of the old man.

"You want my help?" she glared back at all of them. "It's not easy to come by, you know."

Miaka quickly said. "We can pay you!"

"Miaka…."Taka groaned.

"Taka….please," Miaka warned. "You cannot be thinking about losing more money are you?"

"Well…"

Tasuki slap Taka's back grinning. "That's my man Tama through and through…."

"It's not money that I want," she interrupted stopping in front of them. Taka released a silent 'phew'.

"Then, what is it? Name your price."

The girl fell silent, thinking hard. After a moment she seems to make up her mind then slowly took out something from her bag and held out a hunting knife.

The rest of them simultaneously fell back a step, becoming more wary.

"Well, if you want my help….," she sneered, all the while tapping the end of the knife on her chin. "You'll have to do something first."

All of them stared at the knife ominously, waiting for her condition, which they suspect might be something sadistic like sacrificing a limb or something.

"What do you want us to do?" Chichiri spoke up.

She sneered and then said. "Wait for me."

"Huh?" "What?"

"Just wait," she said simply. "Until I get back. Like I said, I'm a busy girl," she looked at her knife calculatingly. "And I have…ah…unfinished business to settle."

Miaka gulped. "We'll be here."

With one last sneer, she took off flying into the sky.

"Whoa," Taka gaped. "D-did you see that?"

"Yeah," Chichiri frowned at the girl's fast retreating back.

"She can fly!! What kind of freak is she??"

"Tasuki, we can all do 'freaky' things, as you put it." Hotohori reasoned.

"But, we're the Suzaku Seven!" Chiriko perked up. "What is she?"

"One of the Byakko Seven?" Nuriko asked.

"But that's impossible! Their priestess appeared ages ago"

"Is it really?" Miaka asked. "Remember Tamahome's mentor, Tokaki and his wife Subaru? I even met Tatara remember? They're all part of the Byakko Seven; she might be one, too."

"But the probability of four of them still surviving after hundreds of years is…is unheard of." Chiriko was perplexed and he didn't like not knowing.

"Maybe she's another Tenkou," Mitsukake suggests.

"That's a scary thought," Taka shivered.

"Ah! What are guys worried about?" Tasuki brandished his tessen. "Whatever she is, we can take her! In fact, I'd be more than happy to burn her to crisp! And wipe that snooty look off that pretty face of her!"

"Pretty?" Nuriko snickered at him. "Since when do you call girls 'pretty'?"

The bandit paled. "I mean…well…she is pretty… pretty scary!! Haha."

"Sure Tasuki, sure."

"Don't worry, no da. No matter how powerful she is, we still have an extra leverage above her, no da. It's all of us against one girl and besides, she can't even see half of us, no da."

"Yes, that is good news." Hotohori agreed.

"Well, like it or not, she's our only hope," Miaka said, sitting down on the side of the road. "And I'm not giving up until I find that old man. Even if I have to climb mountains to get there."

Taka chuckled and sat down beside her. "That's sweet Miaka, but I doubt we'd even go halfway up one mountain before you finish our food supply."

"Hey!" she said indignantly, the others laughed fondly at her.

Up in the sky….

Flying high above the clouds, Arisu was laughing to her self. That was hilarious, she thought. I bet they're all wondering what they got themselves into by now! And the look on their faces when I took out the knife! Priceless!! They probably thought I was some sort of sadistic killer who's out for their limbs or something.

She cackled almost losing her sense of balance. That sure was fun.

Now, where is that tavern? She flew lower carefully, keeping her eyes peeled despite the wind rushing towards her face, hoping no one would spot her.

Ah, there it is! I'm going to have a word with Yogi-sama. That sneaky snake! How dare he lie to me and set me up to help those strangers. He knows I can't resist helping people, but I have my limits too! I'm going to give him an earful!!

Hmm, she landed behind the tavern once more. I wonder if those strangers thought I was going to kill Yogi-sama, by the way I was holding the knife. Haha, if they did, that'll be the icing on the cake. Delicious!

"Yogi-sama!!" she yelled. "That was a dirty trick to get me to go back!" and stormed into the tavern.

"Oh my God!" Miaka said suddenly.

"What is it, Miaka?" Nuriko asked.

The Suzaku Seven and their priestess were sitting at the side of the road, waiting patiently for their intimidating tour guide to arrive, or in Tasuki's case, rather impatiently.

"D-do you think the unfinished business that she meant before was to…kill that innkeeper? Because, he was the one who told us about her, and she didn't seem happy about it."

"I never thought about it, no da." Chichiri said frowning. "You may be right Miaka, we should go help him, no da."

"But she left an hour ago, and she was flying! She could have made 10 trips by now." Chiriko said.

"But we can't just do nothing," Miaka said distraught. "Let's hurry!"

"Wait," Mitsukake squinted out in the distance. "There are people coming towards here."

"Is it her?"

"I can't tell."

All of them got up, waiting expectantly, while trying to make out the people coming towards them down the path. But before they could identify them, they could already hear them as they were arguing loudly.

"Give me an earful huh? Well, I'll give you an earful that'll make your head ring for days!" a man was angrily shouting.

"Ow, ow, that hurts!"

"It better! And you'd do well to listen to me, young lady! Because I don't want you coming back here. You're not ready! And it's better that you just stay away!"

"But..but…I…Owww!"

"No buts you hear me! Now go back and help these people with what they want and its good timing too that they came to me."

The Suzaku Crew all sweatdropped from the scene before them. The tiny old innkeeper was huffily coming towards them babbling angrily, all the while pulling the so-called 'intimidating killer', who was doubled over wincing in pain, on tow by her ear.

"Ow..ow….ow…ok…ok…let go, let go!" she shrieked, finally released, and rubbed her ear tenderly. "Yogi-sama that hurt! You didn't have to do that! Completely ruined my street-cred!"

"Street-cred?" Tasuki raised his eyebrows in amusement.

She blushed.

"Alright all of you," the innkeeper turned to address the Seishi and their Priestess. "I don't know what she told you before," he glared at the girl. "But she can help lead you to the old man you're looking for. In fact, she's the only one who knows."

"Can't I just give them directions?" she suggested.

"No! You're coming with them!" he glared.

"But Yogi-sama…I came all the way back here…."

"And you're turning back around and going with them!"

"You can't do that!"

"I just did! No arguments! Now go!"

They glared daggers at each other. All the while the Suzaku Crew shrank into the background watching this tiny old man taking over the girl's former place of intimidation.

Then finally, "Fine!! I'll go!!" she threw her hands up exasperatedly although her face was still scowling crossly.

"Great! Thank you so much," Miaka smiled glad to finally be able to get some help.

"Erm...question?" Taka asked, half raising his hand.

"What is it?" the innkeeper said.

"Will she…I mean…could she…hurt us?" he blush.

"Only if you ask for it!" the girl stared coldly, cracking her knuckles.

"No she can't." he answered. "She can fly, but that's about it."

"Hey! What do you know?" she countered back. "You don't know me anymore."

"Yes, I do! I might know you much more than you know yourself."

"Oh, please!" she chortled brusquely. "You haven't seen me for 2 years Yogi-sama! So don't pretend you do."

He fell silent at that. "Honestly, I never thought I'd have to see you again." He said quietly. "I thought you'd wise up and stay away for good. There's nothing…"

"Forget it!" she yelled, eyes filled with hurt. "I'm gone!" and with that stalked off down the road briskly.

Looking at each other, Miaka and her Seishi shrug their shoulders nervously and hastily followed her down the trail leaving the innkeeper behind.

"Watch out for each other and take care." He shouted.

"Thank you so much for your help, sir!" Miaka called out behind her.

"No problem. And Arisu!"

The girl halted in her tracks.

"Forgive me!" he said.

Not replying, she continued to walk towards the horizon, with the Suzaku Seven and Miaka following closely behind.